A growing emphasis on work force development programs to strengthen the labor pool will only further solidify the Southern States’ standings as great places to do business.

As the Top States for Doing Business survey indicates, companies continue to be attracted to states with the ideal
combination of shovel-ready sites, infrastructure, labor availability, and competitive operating costs. While those key
preferences are not new, the survey underscores an overarching new trend of increasing demand for conducting
business in the South and Southeast. In general, we are seeing a shift in corporate relocations toward these southern
areas, indicating that business-friendly initiatives in these states are having a visible effect on attracting companies.
Texas has been actively recruiting companies in other markets through a national advertising campaign, which may
have contributed to its high placement in the survey rankings. Beyond Texas, such states as Georgia, North and
South Carolina, and Tennessee have been aggressive in providing the ideal characteristics and demonstrating their
responsiveness to business needs — and their success also is reflected in the survey results. North Carolina has
created numerous successful corporate relationships in recent years.

Of course, a challenge for all state economic development teams is the local political dynamic. States ranked highly
for doing business today may increase or lose their appeal as the political winds blow. It is important for companies
and their consultants to stay abreast of state and local trends that may affect incentive programs, taxes, zoning, and
other site selection considerations. Many of the top-ranked states, and the municipalities within them, have proven
their willingness and ability to create successful partnerships with companies. A growing emphasis on work force
development, training, and education programs to strengthen the labor pool will only further solidify these states’
standings as great places to do business.

About the Author

As part of JLL’s U.S. national consulting team, Ann Petersen helps companies analyze state and local economic development programs and negotiate relocation incentive agreements. A former tax attorney, Petersen performs complex financial analyses and cash flow modeling to support site selection, providing clients with creative savings solutions based on legal analysis of tax laws and letter rulings.